Cougar Bay Preserve
Located only two miles southwest of Coeur d’Alene, Cougar Bay has become a popular destination to explore the area’s wetlands, lakeshore, and forested hillsides. In August of 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the acquisition of the Cougar Bay Preserve from The Nature Conservancy, securing public access into the future and preserving the area from development. Through the acquisition, the BLM will acquire an additional mile of hiking trails and formal public access to nearly a mile of lakeshore.
The 88-acre Cougar Bay Preserve is just minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene. Visitors experience a virtual wildlife nursery on the northwest shore of one
of Idaho’s most beautiful lakes. Cougar Bay attracts migrating and nesting waterfowl, numerous shorebirds, songbirds, moose, beaver, otter, and deer.
Facilities for visitors include interpretive hiking trails, an information kiosk, and a restroom.
Currently, a one-mile loop trail is open for public use. The entrance to this trail may be accessed from Highway 95 at the big Cougar Bay Preserve sign.
For more information on the lands managed by the BLM in Cougar Bay please email the BLM Coeur d’Alene Field office BLM_ID_CoeurdAleneOffice@blm.gov or call 208-769-5000.